John, as you read this, 52 people are awaiting execution on federal death row.
That means 52 human beings are being legally tortured by our federal government and a broken criminal-legal system that shouldn't have the power to force death on anyone.
Just a few days ago, Brandon Bernard became the latest casualty of state-sanctioned murder. Even though they had the power to stop it, neither President Trump nor the Supreme Court intervened to prevent this needless tragedy.
Of course they didn't — because the cruelty is the point.
But there is hope. Under our Constitution, the President has the power to shorten sentences and erase convictions altogether.
That means that on Inauguration Day, Joe Biden could use this power to grant clemency to every single person on federal death row with a single stroke of his pen.
The death penalty isn't about justice. It never has been. It's all about power — specifically, who has it and who does not.
Black and brown people are far more likely to be arrested, to be convicted, and to receive harsher penalties — including the death penalty — than their white counterparts.
A justice system isn't just if it's as racially biased as ours is.
But we can break these cycles of death, devastation, and trauma that have broken Black and brown communities. We can start by saving the 52 people currently awaiting execution as a critical step in ending the death penalty for good. Their lives must not be left in the hands of future presidents.
Of course, this is only the first step. My sister in service, Representative Ayanna Pressley, has introduced a bill to abolish the federal death penalty. As soon as I'm inaugurated, I will be proud to cosponsor it. But, until that bill becomes law, it's up to the executive branch to end state-sanctioned murder.
Together, we will build a fair criminal-legal system on a foundation of mercy, due process and equity.
Thank you for your help,
Team Cori